Contact Us

New Ways to Contact Us

In order to improve the efficiency and consistency of responses to the public, the Visa Office established one point of contact for all domestic inquiries regarding nonimmigrant and immigrant visa cases. The National Visa Center (NVC) began handling all domestic inquiries from the public on nonimmigrant and immigrant visa cases on Monday, January 12, 2015. Immigrant visa inquirers should use (603) 334-0700 to reach an NVC operator. Nonimmigrant visa inquirers should call the NVC at (603) 334-0888.

If you are looking for general visa information, such as the categories of visas that are available, or how to apply, we recommend you review the information on this website first. You will also find guidance on how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest your place of residence.

If you have further questions about visas to the United States that are not answered on this website or on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply, our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) may help you:

and have questions about my pending application for a Waiver of the Two Year Home Country Foreign Residence Requirement.

The Visa Office

Online: J waiver statusEmail: 212ewaiver@state.govand include: the case number; the applicant’s last name, first name and date of birth; the basis for the waiver application, and; a brief explanation of your inquiry.

Note: Visa records are confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), so information can only be provided to visa applicants. There are some exceptions, such as providing information to U.S. sponsors, attorneys representing visa applicants, members of Congress, or other persons acting on behalf of the applicants.

One Year Contact Requirement

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 203(g) provides that the Secretary of State shall terminate the registration (petition) of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year of notice of visa availability. The petition may be reinstated if, within two years of notice of visa availability, the alien establishes that the failure to apply was for reasons beyond the alien’s control. Therefore if you do not respond to notices from the NVC within one year you risk termination of your petition under this section of law and would lose the benefits of that petition, such as your priority date.

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